U.Va. made its big-time in-state linebacker commitment splash in May with Norfolk Christian School's Kwontie Moore. Now, Tech has answered with a huge home-grown linebacker pledge of its own.

Deon Clarke, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound linebacker from L.C. Bird High in Chesterfield, has committed to Tech. He confirmed the commitment via his account on facebook.com. In addition to the Tech scholarship offer, he also had offers from U.Va., Connecticut, Tennessee, Miami, North Carolina State, Cincinnati, Maryland, Duke and Buffalo.

He's considered by many recruiting analysts to be among the nation's top 85 linebacker prospects, putting him among Tech's most valuable commitments for the 2012 recruiting class to date. He's easily Tech's top in-state defensive commitment thus far, and arguably the Hokies' best linebacker commitment since Bruce Taylor in '08. Running backs coach and associate head coach Shane Beamer was responsible for Tech's recruitment of Clarke.

Last season, he had 98 tackles, including 14 sacks. He's the 13th commitment for Tech's '12 class, which now includes seven from within the state of Virginia. Feb. 1 will be the first day recruits can sign a letter of intent.